2-Phenoxy- and 2-Phenylsulfonamide Derivatives with CCR3 Antagonistic Activity for the Treatment of Inflammatory or Immunological Disorders

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are 2-phenoxy- and 2-phenylsulfonamide derivatives with CCR3 antagonistic activity. These compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with CCR3 activity, including but not limited to, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Grave&#39;s disease, HIV infection, Alzheimer&#39;s disease, atherosclerosis and other inflammatory and/or immunological disorders.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a benzenesulfonamide derivative, which is useful as an active ingredient of pharmaceutical preparations. The benzenesulfonamide derivatives of the present invention have CCR3 (CC type chemokine receptor 3) antagonistic activity, and can be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases associated with CCR3 activity, in particular for the treatment of asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and other inflammatory/immunological disorders.

BACKGROUND ART

Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines of which major functions are migration of inflammatory cells that express relevant chemokine receptors on their surfaces to sites of inflammation, and activation of inflammatory cells. There are two classes of chemokines, C-X-C (.alpha.) and C-C (i), depending on whether the first two cysteines are separated by a single amino acid (C-X-C) or are adjacent (C-C).

Eotaxin, one of the C-C family of chemokines, is an 8.4 kDa (74 amino acid) polypeptide and binds solely to the receptor CCR3 with high affinity. In vitro and in vivo, eotaxin causes chemotaxis of inflammatory cells expressing CCR3 [Elsner J., Hochstetter R., Kimming D. and Kapp A.: Human eotaxin represents a potent activator of the respiratory burst of human eosinophils. Eur. J. Immunol., 26: 1919-1925, 1996].

The chemokine receptor CCR3 is a G protein-coupled, seven transmembrane domain receptor (GPCR) which binds to known ligands, in addition to eotaxin, including eotaxin-2 (CCL24), RANTES (CCL5), MCP-3 (CCL7) and MCP-4 (CCL13). CCR3 is expressed on inflammatory cells relevant to the chronic asthma pathology. Such inflammatory cells include Eosinophils [Sabroe I., Conroy D. M., Gerard N. P., Li Y., Collins P. D., Post T. W., Jose P. J., Williams T. J., Gerard C. J., Ponath P. D. J. Immunol. 161: 6139-6147, 1998], basophils [Uguccioni M., Mackay C. R., Ochensberger B., Loetscher P., Rhis S., LaRosa G. J., Rao P., Ponath P. D., Baggiolini M., Dahinden C. A. J. Clin. Invest. 100: 1137-1143, 1997], Th2 cells [Sallusto F., Mackay C. R., Lanzavecchia A. Science. 277: 2005-2007, 1997], alveolar macrophages [Park I. W., Koziel H., Hatch W., Li X., Du B., Groopman J. E. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 20:864-71, 1999] and mast cells [Oliveira S. H. and Lukacs N. W. Inflamm. Res. 50: 168-174. 2001]. It was also reported that BEAS-2B, an epithelial cell line, stimulated with TNF-α and IFN-γ, expressed CCR3 [Stellato C., Brummet M. E., Plitt J. R., Shahabuddin S., Baroody F. M., Liu M., Ponath P. D., and Beck L. A. J. Immunol., 166: 1457-1461, 2001].

In animal models, eotaxin-knockout mice showed decreased eosinophilia after antigen challenge [Rothenberg M. E., MacLean J. A., Pearlman E., Luster A. D. and Leder P. J. Exp. Med., 185: 785-790, 1997]. In IL5-/eotaxin-double knock-out mice, there is no eosinophilia or AHR in response to antigen challenge [Foster P. S., Mould A. W., Yang M., Mackenzie J., Mattes J., Hogan S. P., Mahalingam S., Mckenzie A. N. J., Rothenberg M. E., Young I. G., Matthaei K. I. and Webb D. C. Immunol. Rev., 179, 173-181, 2001]. Clinically, mRNA and protein expression of eotaxin and CCR3 are observed in the lung tissues of atopic asthmatics and are associated with AHR, reduced FEV₁ and lung eosinophilia [Ying S., Robin D. S., Meng Q., Rottman J., Kennedy R., Ringler D. J., Mackay C. R., Daugherty B. L., Springer M. S., Durham S. R., Williams T. J. and Kay A. B.: Enhanced expression of eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA and protein in atopic asthma. Association with airway hyperresponsiveness and predominant colocalization of eotaxin mRNA to bronchial epithelial and endothelial cells. Eur. J. Immunol., 27, 3507-3516, 1997; Lamkhioued Renzi P. M., AbiYounes S., GarciaZepada E. A., Allakhverdi Z., Ghaffar O., Rothenberg M. D., Luster A. D. and Hamid Q.: Increased expressions of eotaxin in bronchoalveolar lavage and airways of asthmatics contributes to the chemotaxis of eosinophils to the site of inflammation. J. Immunol., 159: 4593-4601, 1997; Jahnz-Royk K., Plusa T. and Mierzejewska J.: Eotaxin in serum of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: relationship with eosinophil cationic protein and lung function. Mediators of Inflammation, 9: 175-179, 2000]. In addition, in allergic rhinitis, CCR3-expressing Th2 lymphocytes co-localize with eosinophils in nasal polyps in close proximity to eotaxin-expressing cells [Gerber B. O., Zanni M. P., Uguccioni M., Loetscher M., Mackay C. R., Pichler W. J., Yawalkar N., Baggiolini M. and Moser B.: Functional expression of the eotaxin receptor CCR3 in T lymphocytes co-localizing with eosinophils. CURRENT BIOLOGY 7: 836-843, 1997]. Moreover, viral infections (RSV, influenza virus) which are known risk factors in asthma, result in increased eotaxin expression in lung tissue which is correlated with tissue eosinophilia [Matsukura S., Kokubo F., Kubo H., Tomita T., Tokunaga H., Kadokura M., Yamamoto T., Kuroiwa Y., Ohno T., Suzaki H. and Adachi M.: Expression of RANTES by normal airway epithelial cells after influenza virus A infection. Am. J. Respir. Cell and Mol. Biol., 18: 255-264, 1998; Saito T., Deskin R. W., Casola A., Haeberle H., Olszewska B., Ernest P. B., Alam R., Ogra P. L. and Garofalo R.: Selective regulation of chemokine production in human epithelial cells. J. Infec. Dis., 175: 497-504, 1997]. Thus the binding of CCR3 and related chemokine including eotaxin has been implicated as being important mediators of inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases, including asthma, rhinitis, and allergic diseases, as well as autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, Grave's disease, and atherosclerosis.

It is also implicated that binding of CCR3 and related chemokine is an important factor of virus infections including HIV [(Marone G, de Paulis A, Florio G, Petraroli A, Rossi F, Triggiani M.: Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2001 June; 125(2)/89-95), (Li Y et al.,: Blood 2001 Jun. 1; 97(11):3484-90), and (Marone G, Florio G, Petraroli A, Triggiani M, de Paulis A: Trends Immunol 2001 May; 22 (5):229-32)], lung granuloma (Ruth J H, Lukacs N R, Warmington K S, Polak T J, Burdick M, Kunkel S L, Strieter R M, Chensue S W: J Immunol 1998 Oct. 15; 161 (8):4276-82), and Alzheimer's diseases (Xia M Q, Qin S X, Wu L J, Mackay C R, and Hyman B T: Am J Pathol 1998 July; 153 (1):31-37).

Therefore, CCR3 is an important target and antagonism of CCR3 is likely to be effective in the treatment of such inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders, and diseases.

WO 2000/76514 and WO 2000/76513 disclose cyclopentyl modulators of chemokine receptors including CCR3 activity represented by the general formula:

wherein X″, x, y, R¹′, R²′, R³′, R⁴′ R⁵′, R⁶′ R⁷′ and R⁵ ′ are defined in the application.

Other applications also disclose CCR3 modulators. However, none of the reference and other reference discloses simple benzenesulfonamide derivatives having CCR3 antagonistic activity.

The development of a compound having effective CCR3 antagonistic activity can be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases associated with CCR3 activity has been desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As the result of extensive studies on chemical modification of benzenesulfonamide derivatives, the present inventors have found that the compounds of the structure related to the present invention have unexpectedly excellent CCR3 antagonistic activity. The present invention has been accomplished based on these findings.

This invention is to provide novel benzenesulfonamide derivatives shown by the following formula (I), its tautomeric and stereoisomeric form, and the salts thereof.

wherein

-   X represents O or S; -   R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₆ alkoxy     carbonyl, amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆     alkanoyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by mono-, di- or     tri-halogen, or C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or     tri-halogen; -   R² represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₆ alkoxy     carbonyl, amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆     alkanoyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by mono-, di- or     tri-halogen or C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or     tri-halogen; -   R³ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino,     carboxy, tetrazolyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆     alkanoyl, C₁₋₆ alkanoylamino, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by     mono-, di- or tri-halogen or hydroxy; -   R⁴ represents

-   -   wherein     -   R⁴⁰ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by pyrrolidinyl or         piperidinyl wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are         optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo,         7-oxa-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl optionally having 1 or 2         substituents selected from the group consisting of amino, (C₁₋₆         alkyl)amino and di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, or a 5 to 8 membered         saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms         selected from the group consisting of N and O and optionally         having from 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group         consisting of hydroxy, amino, oxo and C₁₋₆ alkyl;     -   R⁴¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, or 2,5-dioxo         pyrrolidin-1-yl or a C₅₋₈ cycloalkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy,     -   or     -   R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ may form, together with adjacent N atom, a 5 to 8         membered saturated heterocyclic ring optionally interrupted by         O;     -   R⁴² represents C₁₋₆ alkylene optionally substituted by hydroxy         or carboxy, or a C₅₋₈ cycloalkyl substituted by at least one         hydroxy and moreover optionally 1 or 2 substituents selected         from the group consisting of hydroxy, amino, oxo and C₁₋₆ alkyl,     -   or     -   R⁴¹ and R⁴² may form, together with adjacent N atom, a 5 to 8         membered saturated heterocyclic ring optionally interrupted by         NH or O, wherein said 5 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic         ring is substituted by mono- or di-oxo,     -   with the proviso that when R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally         substituted by amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino,         R⁴² is hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene or carboxy substituted         C₁₋₆ alkylene;     -   R⁴³ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy or carboxy;     -   R⁴⁴ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy or carboxy,     -   with the proviso that when R⁴¹ and R⁴² form, together with         adjacent N atom, a 5 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         R⁴⁴ represents hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl or carboxy         substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl;     -   R⁴⁵, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆         alkyl;     -   R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁸ independently represent C₁₋₆ alkylene optionally         substituted hydroxy or carboxy;     -   n represents an integer selected from 1 to 3;     -   m represents an integer selected from 0 to 3;     -   R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, or a 3 to 8 membered         saturated ring optionally interrupted by NH or O;     -   R⁵² represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by carboxy, amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆         alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆         alkanoyl)amino, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl,         indolinyl, isoindolinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, pyrrolidinyl         optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo, or piperidinyl         optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo,     -   with the proviso that when R⁵¹ and R⁵² are hydrogen at the same         time, R³ is tetrazolyl or C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, or when R⁵¹ is hydrogen         or C₁₋₆ alkyl, R⁵² is other than hydrogen;     -   R⁶¹ and R⁶² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl         optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, phenyl or mono-, di-         or tri halogen;     -   R⁷¹ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         amino, hydroxy, carboxy, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein         said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by         mono- or di-oxo;     -   R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino,         (C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino         carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy,         or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted         by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl,         wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally         substituted by mono- or di-oxo;     -   Z¹ represents —[CH₂]_(p)—, wherein p represents an integer 1 or         2;     -   R⁸¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by pyrrolidinyl, or piperidinyl, wherein said         pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono-         or di-oxo;     -   R⁸² represents hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by hydroxy, amino, or carboxy,     -   R⁸³ represents hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by hydroxy, amino, or carboxy,     -   with the proviso that when R⁸¹ is hydrogen, R⁸² or R⁸³ is other         than hydrogen;     -   Z² represents —[CH₂]_(q)—, wherein q represents an integer         selected from 0 to 3;     -   R⁹¹ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         phenyl;     -   R¹¹¹ represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl, C₁₋₆         alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally         substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         optionally substituted by hydroxy, mono-, di- or tri-halogen,         amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆         alkylsulfonyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkanoyl)amino, C₁₋₆         alkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl,         indolyl, isoindolyl, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl wherein said         pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono-         or di-oxo;     -   A ring represents a 3 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         in which the nitrogen atom N^(A) is the only hetero atom;     -   B ring represents a 3 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         in which the nitrogen atom N^(B) is the only hetero atom;     -   C ring and D ring together form a 7 to 15 membered diazabicyclic         ring; and     -   E ring represents a 5 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         in which the nitrogen atom N^(E) is the only hetero atom.

This invention is also to provide a method for treating or preventing a CCR3 related disorder or disease in a human or animal subject, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of the benzenesulfonamide derivative shown in the formula (I), its tautomeric or stereoisomeric form, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

Further this invention is to provide a use of the benzenesulfonamide derivative shown in the formula (I), its tautomeric or stereoisomeric form, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof in the preparation of a medicament for treating or preventing a CCR3 related disorder or disease.

The compounds of the present invention surprisingly show excellent CCR3 antagonistic activity. They are, therefore suitable for the production of medicament or medical composition, which may be useful to treat CCR3 related diseases. More specifically, since the compounds of the present invention antagonize CCR3, they are useful for treatment and prophylaxis of diseases as follows; asthma, rhinitis, and allergic diseases, and autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, Grave's disease, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, CCR3 is an important target and antagonism of CCR3 is likely to be effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of such inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases.

The compounds of the present invention are also useful for treatment and prophylaxis of diseases like virus infections including HIV, lung granuloma, and Alzheimer's diseases, since the diseases also relate to CCR3.

In another embodiment, the compounds of formula (I) are those wherein:

R⁴ represents

-   -   wherein     -   R⁴⁰ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl having substituent selected from the         group consisting of 2-oxo pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2,5-dioxo         pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-3-yl,         4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-6-yl,         2,5-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2,6-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, and         2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl, piperidin-1-yl, -2-yl, -3-yl or 4-yl         (wherein said piperidin is optionally substituted by mono- or         di-oxo), hexahydroazepin-1-yl,-2-yl, -3-yl or -4-yl (wherein         said hexahydroazepin is optionally substituted by mono- or         di-oxo), and 7-oxa-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl optionally         substituted by amino;     -   R⁴¹ represents hydrogen, cyclopentyl or C₁₋₁₆ alkyl optionally         substituted by amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl amino, di-(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, or         2,5-dioxo pyrrolidin-1-yl,     -   R⁴² represents C₁₋₄ alkylene substituted by carboxy or         cyclohexyl substituted by mono- or di-hydroxy,     -   R⁴¹ and R⁴² may form, together with adjacent N atom, a 5 or 6         membered saturated heterocyclic ring;     -   with the proviso that when R⁴¹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl         optionally substituted by amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, or di(C₁₋₆         alkyl)amino, R⁴² is hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene or carboxy         substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene;     -   R⁴³ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy,     -   R⁴⁴ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or         carboxy,     -   With the proviso that when R⁴¹ and R⁴² form, together with         adjacent N atom, a 5 or 6 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         R⁴⁴ is hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl or carboxy substituted         C₁₋₆ alkyl;     -   R⁴⁵, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ independently represent hydrogen, methyl         or ethyl;     -   R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁸ independently represent C₁₋₆ alkylene optionally         substituted hydroxy or carboxy;     -   R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, cyclopentyl, ethyl or methyl;     -   R⁵² represents methoxycarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted by         carboxy, amino, methoxy-carbonyl, methanesulfonylamino,         acetamido, indolyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl,         1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl,         pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2,5-dioxo         pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-3-yl,         4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-6-yl,         2,5-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2,6-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, or         2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl;     -   R⁶¹ and R⁶² independently represent benzyl or phenethyl;     -   R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino,         (C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino         carbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy,         or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted         by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl         wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally         substituted by mono- or di-oxo;     -   R⁸¹ represents hydrogen, methoxycarbonyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by 2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2,5-dioxo pyrrolidin-1-yl,         2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-3-yl,         4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-6-yl,         2,5-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2,6-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, or         2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl;     -   R⁸² represents hydrogen, hydroxy or C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by         hydroxy;     -   R⁸³ represents hydrogen, hydroxy or carboxy;     -   with the proviso that when R⁸² and R⁸³ are hydrogen at the same         time, R⁸¹ is other than hydrogen, or when R⁸¹ and R⁸³ are         hydrogen at the same time, R⁸² is other than hydrogen;     -   R⁹¹ represents benzyl or phenethyl.

Yet other preferred compounds of formula (I) represent formula (I-b) and are those

wherein R¹ represents fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, or nitro; R² represents fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, or nitro; R³ represents acetyl, cyano, or tetrazolyl; R⁴ represents

-   -   wherein     -   R⁴⁰ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by pyrrolidinyl or         piperidinyl wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are         optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo,         7-oxa-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl optionally having 1 or 2         substituents selected from the group consisting of amino, (C₁₋₆         alkyl)amino and di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, or a 5 to 8 membered         saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms         selected from the group consisting of N and O and optionally         having from 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group         consisting of hydroxy, amino, oxo and C₁₋₆ alkyl;     -   R⁴¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, or 2,5-dioxo         pyrrolidin-1-yl or a C₅₋₈ cycloalkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy,     -   or     -   R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ may form, together with adjacent N atom, a 5 to 8         membered saturated hetero-cyclic ring optionally interrupted by         O;     -   R⁴² represents C₁₋₆ alkylene optionally substituted by hydroxy         or carboxy, or a C₅₋₈ cycloalkyl substituted by at least one         hydroxy and moreover optionally 1 or 2 substituents selected         from the group consisting of hydroxy, amino, oxo and C₁₋₆ alkyl,     -   or     -   R⁴¹ and R⁴² may form, together with adjacent N atom, a 5 to 8         membered saturated heterocyclic ring optionally interrupted by         NH or O, wherein said 5 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic         ring is substituted by mono- or di-oxo;     -   with the proviso that when R⁴¹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl         optionally substituted by amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, or di(C₁₋₆         alkyl)amino, R⁴² is hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene or carboxy         substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene;     -   R⁴³ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy or carboxy;     -   R⁴⁴ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or         carboxy,     -   with the proviso that when R⁴¹ and R⁴² form, together with         adjacent N atom, 5 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring         substituted by mono- or di-oxo, R⁴⁴ represents hydroxy         substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl or carboxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl;     -   R⁴⁵, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆         alkyl;     -   R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁸ independently represent C₁₋₆ alkylene optionally         substituted hydroxy or carboxy;     -   n represents an integer selected from 1 to 3;     -   m represents an integer selected from 0 to 3;     -   R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, or a 3 to 8 membered         saturated ring optionally interrupted by NH or O;     -   R⁵² represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino,         N—(C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkanoyl)-amino, C₁₋₆         alkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl,         indolyl, isoindolyl, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl wherein said         pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono-         or di-oxo,     -   with the proviso that when R⁵¹ and R⁵² are hydrogen at the same         time, R³ is tetrazolyl or C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, or when R⁵¹ is hydrogen         or C₁₋₆ alkyl, R⁵² is other than hydrogen;     -   R⁶¹ and R⁶² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl         optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, phenyl or mono-, di-         or tri halogen;     -   R⁷¹ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         amino, hydroxy, carboxy, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein         said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by         mono- or di-oxo;     -   R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino,         (C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino         carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy,         or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted         by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl,         wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally         substituted by mono- or di-oxo;     -   Z¹ represents —[CH₂]_(p)—, wherein p represents an integer 1 or         2;     -   R⁸¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein said         pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono-         or di-oxo;     -   R⁸² represents hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by hydroxy, amino, or carboxy,     -   R⁸³ represents hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by hydroxy, amino, or carboxy,     -   with the proviso that when R⁸¹ is hydrogen, R⁸² or R⁸³ is other         than hydrogen;     -   Z² represents —[CH₂]_(q)—, wherein q represents an integer         selected from 0 to 3;     -   R⁹¹ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         phenyl;     -   R¹¹¹ represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl, C₁₋₆         alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally         substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl         optionally substituted by hydroxy, mono-, di- or tri-halogen,         amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆         alkylsulfonyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkanoyl)amino, C₁₋₆         alkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl,         indolyl, isoindolyl, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein said         pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono-         or di-oxo;     -   A ring represents a 3 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         in which the nitrogen atom N_(A) is the only hetero atom;     -   B ring represents a 3 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         in which the nitrogen atom N_(B) is the only hetero atom;     -   C ring and D ring together form a 7 to 12 membered diazabicyclic         ring; and     -   E ring represents a 5 to 8 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         in which the nitrogen atom N^(E) is the only hetero atom.

Yet other preferred compounds of formula (I-b) are those wherein:

R¹ represents fluoro, chloro or bromo; R² represents fluoro, chloro or bromo; R³ represents cyano; R⁴ represents

-   -   wherein     -   R⁴⁰ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl having substituent selected from the         group consisting of 2-oxo pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2,5-dioxo         pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-3-yl,         4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-6-yl,         2,5-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2,6-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl,         2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl, piperidin-1-yl, -2-yl, -3-yl or -4-yl         (wherein said piperidin is optionally substituted by mono- or         di-oxo), hexahydroazepin-1-yl,-2-yl, -3-yl or -4-yl (wherein         said hexahydroazepin is optionally substituted by mono- or         di-oxo), and 7-oxa-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl optionally         substituted by amino;     -   R⁴¹ represents hydrogen, cyclopentyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally         substituted by amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl amino, di-(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, or         2,5-dioxo pyrrolidin-1-yl,     -   R⁴² represents C₁₋₄ alkylene substituted by carboxy or         cyclohexyl substituted by mono or di hydroxy,     -   R⁴¹ and R⁴² may form, together with adjacent N atom, a 5 or 6         membered saturated heterocyclic ring;     -   R⁴³ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxy,     -   R⁴⁴ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or         carboxy,     -   with the proviso that when R⁴¹ and R⁴² form, together with         adjacent N atom, a 5 or 6 membered saturated heterocyclic ring,         R⁴⁴ is hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl or carboxy substituted         C₁₋₆ alkyl;     -   R⁴⁵, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ independently represent hydrogen, methyl         or ethyl;     -   R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁸ independently represent C₁₋₆ alkylene optionally         substituted hydroxy or carboxy;     -   R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, cyclopentyl, ethyl or methyl;     -   R⁵² represents methoxycarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted by         carboxy, amino, methoxy-carbonyl, methanesulfonylamino,         acetamido, indolyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl,         1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl,         pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2,5-dioxo         pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-3-yl,         4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-6-yl,         2,5-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2,6-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, or         2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl;     -   R⁶¹ and R⁶² independently represent benzyl or phenethyl;     -   R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino,         (C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino         carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy,         or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted         by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl,         wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally         substituted by mono- or di-oxo;     -   R⁸¹ represents hydrogen, methoxycarbonyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl         substituted by 2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl, 2,5-dioxo pyrrolidin-1-yl,         2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-3-yl,         4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2-oxo-piperidin-6-yl,         2,5-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, 2,6-dioxo-piperidin-1-yl, or         2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl;     -   R⁸² represents hydrogen, hydroxy or hydroxy substituted C₁₋₆         alkyl;     -   R⁸³ represents hydrogen, hydroxy or carboxy;     -   with the proviso that when R⁸² and R⁸³ are hydrogen at the same         time, R⁸¹ is other than hydrogen, or when R⁸¹ and R⁸³ are         hydrogen at the same time, R⁸² is other than hydrogen;     -   R⁹¹ represents benzyl or phenethyl.

The preferable compounds of the present invention are as follows:

-   3-(1-Benzyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrrole-5-sulfonyl)-4-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzonitrile; -   N-{4-[5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-piperazin-2-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonamide; -   N-{4-[5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-piperazin-2-ylmethyl}-acetamide; -   N-{1-[5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)benzenesulfonyl]-piperazin-2-ylmethyl}-methane-sulfonamide; -   N-{1-[5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-piperazin-2-ylmethyl}-acetamide; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[(3R)-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl]-benzonitrile; -   3-(2-Aminomethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-4-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzonitrile     dihydrochloride; -   1-[5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-[1,4]diazepane-2-carboxylic     acid methyl ester, -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[3(S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[2(S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[2-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzo-nitrile; -   N-{1-[5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-[1,4]diazepan-2-ylmethyl}-methane-sulfonamide; -   1-[4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-ethanone; -   (R)—N-(1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonamide; -   (S)—N-(1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonamide; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-{4-[(2S)-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-piperidine-1-sulfonyl}-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(3-tetrazol-2-ylmethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(3-[1,2,4]triazol-1-ylmethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(2-[1,2,4]triazol-1-ylmethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-benzonitrile; -   5-Cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-N-[2-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-benzenesulfonamide; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[3-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzo-nitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[3-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-4pyrrolidin-1-yl-piperidine-1-sulfonyl]-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-{4-[(2S)-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-piperidine-1-sulfonyl}-benzonitrile; -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-{(2S)-[(2S)-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl]-pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl}-benzonitrile;     and -   4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(piperidine-4-sulfonyl)-benzonitrile,     and their tautomeric and stereoisomeric form, and physiologically     acceptable salts thereof.

Alkyl per se and “alk” and “alkyl” in alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, alkylamino, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminosulphonyl, alkylsulphonylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxy-carbonylamino and alkanoylamino represent a linear or branched alkyl radical having generally 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 and particularly preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, representing illustratively and preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl and n-hexyl.

Alkoxy illustratively and preferably represents methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, tert-butoxy, n-pentoxy and n-hexoxy.

Alkylamino illustratively and preferably represents an alkylamino radical having one or two (independently selected) alkyl substituents, illustratively and preferably representing methylamino, ethylamino, n-propylamino, isopropylamino, tert-butylamino, n-pentylamino, n-hexyl-amino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-diethylamino, N-ethyl-N-methylamino, N-methyl-N-n-propylamino, N-isopropyl-N-n-propylamino, N-t-butyl-N-methylamino, N-ethyl-N-n-pentylamino and N-n-hexyl-N-methylamino.

Cycloalkyl per se and in cycloalkylamino and in cycloalkylcarbonyl represents a cycloalkyl group having generally 3 to 8 and preferably 5 to 7 carbon atoms, illustratively and preferably representing cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

Heterocyclyl per se and in heterocyclic represents a mono- or polycyclic, preferably mono- or bicyclic, nonaromatic heterocyclic radical having generally 4 to 10 and preferably 5 to 8 ring atoms and up to 3 and preferably up to 2 hetero atoms and/or hetero groups selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, SO and SO₂. The heterocyclyl radicals can be saturated or partially unsaturated. Preference is given to 5- to 8-membered monocyclic saturated heterocyclyl radicals having up to two hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The compound of the formula (I) of the present invention can be, but not limited to be, prepared by combining various conventional methods. In some embodiments, one or more of the substituents, such as amino group, carboxyl group, and hydroxyl group of the compounds used as starting materials or intermediates are advantageously protected by a protecting group known to those skilled in the art. Examples of the protecting groups are described in “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (3^(rd) Edition)” by Greene and Wuts.

The compound represented by the general formula (I-i), (I-ii) and (I-iii) of the present invention can be, but not limited to be, prepared by using the Method [A], [B] and [C] below respectively.

In the Method [A], the compound of the formula (I-i)(X, R¹ and R² are as defined above, R³ is the same as R³ as defined above or protected R³ and R⁴ is the same as R⁴ as defined above or protected R⁴) can be prepared by the following procedures in three or four steps;

In the Step A-1, the compound of the formula (2) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R³ are same as defined above) can be obtained by the reaction of the compound of the formula (1) (wherein L represents leaving group, for instance, halo group (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine), sulfonates (e.g., mesylate, tosylate or triflate); and the like) with the compound of the formula (4) (wherein X, R¹ and R² are same as defined above) in solvent.

Examples of the solvent include, for instance, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, dioxane, tetra-hydrofuran (THF) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; nitriles such as acetonitrile; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide, and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to, about −10° C. to 200° C., and preferably about 10° C. to 80° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 hour to 24 hours.

The reaction can be advantageously conducted in the presence of a base. The examples of the base include an alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride or potassium hydride; alkali metal alkoxide such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide and potassium tert-butoxide; alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; carbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; alkali metal hydrogen carbonates such as sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; organic amines such as pyridine, triethylamine and N,N-diisopropylethylamine, and others.

In the Step A-2, the compound of the formula (3) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined above) can be obtained by the reduction of the compound of the formula (2) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined above) with stannous chloride or iron powder with an acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid) in solvent such as ethyl acetate, water and others.

The compound of the formula (3) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined above) can be also obtained by the hydrolysis of the compound of the formula (2) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R³ are same as defined above).

In the Step A-3, the compound of the formula (6) (wherein X, R′, R″ and R^(3′) are same as defined above and L′ represents leaving group, for instance, halo group (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine); and the like) can be prepared from the compound of the formula (3) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined above) in two steps.

First, the compound of the formula (3) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined above) is treated with an acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid) and sodium nitrite in a solvent (e.g., water, acetic acid) at about −20° C. to 0° C.

Then, the reaction mixture is added to the solution of sulfur dioxide in acid such as acetic acid and the like.

Examples of the solvent include, for instance, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; nitriles such as acetonitrile; amides such as N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; water and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to about −10° C. to 200° C., and preferably about 0° C. to 30° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 to 24 hours.

The reaction can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst, including for instance, cooper salts such as copper chloride and others.

In the Step A-4, the compound of the formula (I-i) (wherein X, R¹, R², R^(3′) and R^(4′) are as defined above) can be obtained by the reaction of the compound of the formula (6) (wherein X, L′, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined above) with the compound of the formula (5) (wherein R^(4′) is same as defined above) in a similar manner described in Step A-1 of Method [A] for the preparation of the compound of (2).

The compound (I-i) can be further reacted to remove protecting group of R^(3′) or R^(4′).

The compound of the formula (6) can also be prepared by the procedures of step A-1′ and step A-3′ with starting compound (1′) (wherein L and R^(3′) are same as defined above).

In the Step A-1′, the compound of the formula (2′) (wherein X, R¹, R², and R^(3′) are same as defined above) can be prepared from the compound of the formula (1′) (wherein L and R³ are same as defined above), instead of the compound of the formula (1), in a similar manner described in the Step A-1 for preparation of the compound of the formula (2) by using a compound of the formula (4) (wherein X, R¹ and R² are same as defined above).

In the Step A-3′, the compound of the formula (6) (wherein X, R¹, R², R^(3′) and L′ are same as defined above) can be prepared with the compound of the formula (2′) (wherein X R¹, R², and R³ are same as defined above) with sulfonic acid halide (e.g., chlorosulfonic acid). The reaction can be carried out without solvent or in solvent including, for instance, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; amides such as N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; sulfoxides such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO); and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to about −10° C. to 200° C., and preferably about 0° C. to 170° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 to 24 hours.

The compound of the formula (1), (1′), (4) and (5) are commercially available or can be prepared by the conventional reactions.

The compound of the formula (I-ii)(R¹ and R² are as defined above, R^(3′) is the same as R³ as defined above or protected R³ and R^(4′) is the same as R⁴ as defined above or protected R⁴) can be prepared by the following procedures in three steps;

In the Step B-1, the compound of the formula (8) (wherein L′ and R^(3′) are same as defined above and Y represents C₁₋₆ alkyl) can be obtained by the reaction of the compound of the formula (7) (wherein Y and R^(3′) are same as defined above and W represents hydrogen, amino, and the like) in a similar manner described in Step A-3 or A-3′ of Method [A] for the preparation of the compound of the formula (6).

In the Step B-2, the compound of the formula (9) (wherein R^(3′) and R^(4′) are same as defined above) can be prepared from the compound of the formula (8) in two steps; (step B-2-a) the reaction with H—R^(4′) and (step B-2-b) deprotection of alkoxy group.

In the Step B-2-a, the reaction of compound of the formula (8) (wherein Y, L′ and R^(3′) are same as defined above) with the compound of formula (5) (wherein R^(4′) is same as defined above) can be performed in a similar manner as described in the step A-4 of method A for the preparation of compound of the formula (I-i).

In the Step B-2-b, the successive deprotection of alkoxy group to obtain the compound of formula (9) (wherein R^(3′) and R^(4′) are same as defined above) can be done by the reaction with Lewis acid such as, for example, BBr₃, in a solvent including, for instance, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to about −30° C. to 200° C., and preferably about −10° C. to 80° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 hour to 24 hours.

In the Step B-3, the compound of the formula (I-ii) (wherein R¹, R², R^(3′) and R^(4′) are as defined above) can be obtained by the reaction of the compound of the formula (9) (wherein R^(3′) and R^(4′) are same as defined above) with the compound of the formula (10) (wherein R¹ and R² are same as defined above and L″ represents leaving group, such as boronic acid, halogen atom e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom).

The reaction can be performed in a solvent including, for instance, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; nitrites such as acetonitrile; amides such as N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide, and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to about −10° C. to 200° C., and preferably about 10° C. to 100° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 hour to 24 hours.

The reaction can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst, including for instance, cooper salts such as cooper(II) acetate, palladium salts such as palladium (II) acetate, and others. The reaction can be advantageously conducted in the presence of a base. The examples of the base include an alkali metal alkoxide such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide and potassium tert-butoxide; alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; carbonates such as cesium carbonate, sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; alkali metal hydrogen carbonates such as sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; organic amines such as pyridine, triethylamine and N,N-diisopropylethylamine, and others.

The compound (I-ii) can be further reacted to modify R^(3′) or R^(4′), e.g. to deprotect.

The compounds of the formula (7) and (10) are commercially available or can be prepared by conventional reactions.

Method [C] is especially advantageous when R⁴ of the formula (I) represents E ring defined above, hereinafter R^(4″) of the formula (I-iii) represents E ring with substituent R¹¹¹ as defined in R⁴ or protected thereof.

The compound of the formula (I-iii) (wherein X, R¹, R², R^(3′) and R^(4″) are same as defined above) can be prepared by the following procedures in two steps;

In the Step C-1, the compound of the formula (12) (wherein X, R¹, R², R^(3′) and R^(4′) are same as defined above) can be obtained by the reaction of the compound of the formula (11) (wherein X, R¹, R² and R^(3′) are same as defined) with the compound of the formula (13) (wherein R^(4″) are same as defined above and L represents leaving group defined above) using a base such as alkali metal carbonates (eg, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and the like), triethylamine, potassium hydroxide, and others.

The reaction can be performed in a solvent including, for instance, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; nitriles such as acetonitrile; amides such as N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide, and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to about −10° C. to 200° C., and preferably about 10° C. to 100° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 hour to 24 hours.

In the Step C-2, the compound of the formula (I-iii) (wherein X, R¹, R², R^(3′) and R^(4″) are same as defined above) can be obtained by the treatment of the compound of the formula (12) (wherein X, R¹, R², R^(3′) and R^(4″) are same as defined above) under suitable oxidizing conditions, such as hydrogen peroxide, sodium periodate, m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA), potassium perman-ganate and others in the presence of or without catalyst, such as catalytic ruthenium trichloride in solvent including, for instance, water, halogenated hydrocarbons such as, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,2-dimethoxy-ethane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; nitriles such as acetonitrile; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-pyrrolidone; and others. Optionally, two or more of the solvents selected from the listed above can be mixed and used.

The reaction temperature is usually, but not limited to about −10° C. to 200° C., and preferably about 10° C. to 50° C. The reaction may be carried out for, usually, 30 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 1 hour to 20 hours.

The compound (I-iii) can be further reacted to remove protection group of R^(3′) or R^(4″).

The compound of the formula (11) and (13) are commercially available or can be prepared by the conventional reactions.

When the compound shown by the formula (I) or a salt thereof has tautomeric isomers and/or stereoisomers (e.g, geometrical isomers and conformational isomers), each of their separated isomer and mixtures are also included in the scope of the present invention.

When the compound shown by the formula (I) or a salt thereof has an asymmetric carbon in the structure, their optically active compounds and racemic mixtures are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Typical salts of the compound shown by the formula (I) include salts prepared by reaction of the compounds of the present invention with a mineral or organic acid, or an organic or inorganic base. Such salts are known as acid addition and base addition salts, respectively.

Acids to form acid addition salts include inorganic acids such as, without limitation, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic-acid, hydroiodic acid and the like, and organic acids, such as, without limitation, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, p-bromophenylsulfonic acid, carbonic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, acetic acid, and the like.

Base addition salts include those derived from inorganic bases, such as, without limitation, ammonium hydroxide, alkaline metal hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, and the like, and organic bases, such as, without limitation, ethanolamine, triethyl-amine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, and the like. Examples of inorganic bases include, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and the like.

The compound of the present invention or a salts thereof, depending on its substituents, may be modified to form lower alkylesters or known other esters; and/or hydrates or other solvates. Those esters, hydrates, and solvates are included in the scope of the present invention.

The compound of the present invention may be administered in oral forms, such as, without limitation normal and enteric coated tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, solution, suspensions, syrups, solid and liquid aerosols and emulsions. They may also be administered in parenteral forms, such as, without limitation, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and the like forms, well-known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts. The compounds of the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using transdermal delivery systems well known to those of ordinary skilled in the art.

The dosage regimen with the use of the compounds of the present invention is selected by one of ordinary skill in the arts, in view of a variety of factors, including, without limitation, age, weight, sex, and medical condition of the recipient, the severity of the condition to be treated, the route of administration, the level of metabolic and excretory function of the recipient, the dosage form employed, the particular compound and salt thereof employed.

The compounds of the present invention are preferably formulated prior to administration together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Excipients are inert substances such as, without limitation carriers, diluents, flavoring agents, sweeteners, lubricants, solubilizers, suspending agents, binders, tablet disintegrating agents and encapsulating material.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of the invention and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that are compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. Pharmaceutical formulations of the invention are prepared by combining a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of the invention together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients therefore. In making the compositions of the present invention, the active ingredient may be mixed with a diluent, or enclosed within a carrier, which may be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper, or other container. The carrier may serve as a diluent, which may be solid, semi-solid, or liquid material which acts as a vehicle, or can be in the form of tablets, pills powders, lozenges, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols, ointments, containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions and sterile packaged powders.

For oral administration, the active ingredient may be combined with an oral, and non-toxic, pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, such as, without limitation, lactose, starch, sucrose, glucose, sodium carbonate, mannitol, sorbitol, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, methyl cellulose, and the like; together with, optionally, disintegrating agents, such as, without limitation, maize, starch, methyl cellulose, agar bentonite, xanthan gum, alginic acid, and the like; and optionally, binding agents, for example, without limitation, gelatin, acacia, natural sugars, beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums, acacia, tragacanth, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes, and the like; and, optionally, lubricating agents, for example, without limitation, magnesium stearate, sodium stearate, stearic acid, sodium oleate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, talc, and the like.

In powder forms, the carrier may be a finely divided solid which is in admixture with the finely divided active ingredient. The active ingredient may be mixed with a carrier having binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired to produce tablets. The powders and tablets preferably contain from about 1 to about 99 weight percent of the active ingredient which is the novel composition of the present invention. Suitable solid carriers are magnesium carboxymethyl cellulose, low melting waxes, and cocoa butter.

Sterile liquid formulations include suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs. The active ingredient can be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as sterile water, sterile organic solvent, or a mixture of both sterile water and sterile organic solvent.

The active ingredient can also be dissolved in a suitable organic solvent, for example, aqueous propylene glycol. Other compositions can be made by dispersing the finely divided active ingredient in aqueous starch or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution or in suitable oil.

The formulation may be in unit dosage form, which is a physically discrete unit containing a unit dose, suitable for administration in human or other mammals. A unit dosage form can be a capsule or tablets, or a number of capsules or tablets. A “unit dose” is a predetermined quantity of the active compound of the present invention, calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with one or more excipients. The quantity of active ingredient in a unit dose may be varied or adjusted from about 0.1 to about 1000 milligrams or more according to the particular treatment involved.

Typical oral dosages of the present invention, when used for the indicated effects, will range from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 100 mg/kg/day, preferably from 0.1 mg/kg/day to 30 mg/kg/day, and most preferably from about 0.5 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day. In the case of parenteral administration, it has generally proven advantageous to administer quantities of about 0.001 to 100 mg/kg/day, preferably from 0.01 mg/kg/day to 1 mg/kg/day. The compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dose may be administered in divided doses, two, three, or more times per day. Where delivery is via transdermal forms, of course, administration is continuous.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in detail below in the form of examples, but they should by no means be construed as defining the metes and bounds of the present invention.

In the examples below, all quantitative data, if not stated otherwise, relate to percentages by weight.

¹H NMR spectra were recorded using either Bruker DRX-300 (300 MHz for ¹H) spectrometer in CDCl₃. Chemical shifts are reported in parts per million (ppm) with tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard at zero ppm. Coupling constant (J) are given in hertz and the abbreviations s, d, t, q, m, and br refer to singlet, doublet, triplet, quartet, multiplet, and broad, respectively. Mass spectroscopy data were recorded on a FINNIGAN MAT 95. TLC was performed on a precoated silica gel plate (Merck silica gel 60 F-254). Silica gel (WAKO-gel C-200 (75-150 m)) was used for all column chromatography separations. Z in the table 1 represents decomposition.

All chemicals were reagent grade and were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, Wako pure chemical industries, Ltd., Tokyo kasei kogyo Co., Ltd., Nacalai tesque, Inc., Watanabe Chemical Ind. Ltd., Maybridge plc, Lancaster Synthesis Ltd., Merck KgaA, Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.

The effects of the present compounds were examined by the following assays and pharmacological tests.

[Determination of IC₅₀ Values of Compounds in Receptor Binding Assay] (1) Cell

-   -   Human CCR3-transformed K562 cells were used. The cloned CCR3         cDNA was constructed with pcDNA3 vector and transfected into a         K562 cell line. The human CCR3-transformed K562 cells were         maintained in RPMI-1640 (Cat.#22400-089, Life Technologies)         supplemented with 10% FCS (Cat.#A-1115-L, Hyclone), 55 μM         2-mercaptoethanol (Cat.#21985-023, Life Technologies), 1 mM         sodium pyruvate (Cat.#11360-070, Life Technologies), 100         units/ml of penicillin G and 100 μg/ml of streptomycin         (Cat.#15140-122, Life Technologies), and 0.4 mg/ml of Geneticin         (Cat.#10131-035, Life Technologies) (hereinafter called “culture         medium”). Before the receptor binding assay, cells were         pretreated with 5 mM sodium butyrate (Cat.#193-01522,         Wako)-containing the culture medium (2×10⁵ cells/ml) for 20-24         hours to increase the expression of CCR3.

(2) Receptor Binding Assay

-   -   Butyrate-pretreated cells, suspended in binding buffer (25 mM         HEPES pH 7.6, 1 mM CaCl₂, 5 mM MgCl₂, 0.5% BSA, 0.1% NaN₃) at a         cell density of 2×10⁶ cells/ml, were added into 60 μl/well in         the 96-well round bottom polypropylene plate (Cat.#3365,         Costar). Compounds, diluted with the binding buffer (4-times         higher concentration of the final concentration), were added         into 30 μl/well in the polypropylene plate. [¹²⁵I]-labeled human         eotaxin (Cat.#IM290, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), diluted with         the binding buffer at the concentration of 0.4 nM (final         concentration; 0.1 nM), was added into 30 μl/well in the         polypropylene plate. Total 120 μl/well of binding reaction         mixture (60 μl/well of cell suspension, 30 μl/well of compound         solution, and 30 μl/well of [¹²⁵I]-labeled eotaxin) were         incubated in the polypropylene plate for 1 hour at room         temperature after the incubation, 100 μl/well of the reaction         mixture was transferred to a filtration plate (Cat.#MAFB-N0B,         Millipore), and washed with the washing buffer (25 mM HEPES pH         7.6, 1 mM CaCl₂, 5 mM MgCl₂, 0.5% BSA, 0.1% NaN₃, 0.5 M NaCl)         twice. The 96-well filtration plate was pretreated with 100         μl/well of 0.5% polyethylenimine (Cat.#P-3143, Sigma) for 24         hours at room temperature and washed with the washing buffer         twice before use. The non-specific binding was determined by         parallel incubation in the presence of 500 nM of non-labeled         eotaxin (Cat.#23209, Genzyme Techne). The radioactivities         remained on the filter were measured by liquid scintillation         counter (TopCount™, Packard) after an addition of 45 μl/well of         scintillant (Microscint20, Cat.#6013621, Packard). The         inhibition percent at each concentration of compound was         calculated, and IC50 values were determined from the inhibition         curve.

[Determination of IC50 Values of Compounds in Calcium Mobilization Assay] (1) Cell

-   -   Human CCR3-transformed K562 cells were used. The human         CCR3-transformed K562 cells were maintained in RPMI-1640         supplemented with 10% FCS, 55 mM 2-mercapto-ethanol         (Cat.#21985-023, Life Technologies), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 100         units/ml of penicillin G and 100 μg/ml of streptomycin, and 0.4         mg/ml of Geneticin. Before the calcium mobilization assay, cells         were pretreated with 5 mM sodium butyrate-containing the culture         medium (2×10⁵ cells/ml) for 20-24 hours to increase the         expression of CCR3.

(2) Calcium Mobilization Assay

-   -   Butyrate-pretreated cells were loaded with Fluo-3AM         (Cat.#F-1242, Molecular Probes) in loading buffer (Hanks'         solution Cat.#05906 Nissui, 20 mM HEPES pH 7.6, 0.1% BSA, 1 mM         probenecid Cat.#P-8761 Sigma, 1 μM Fluo-3AM, 0.01% pluronic         F-127 Cat.#P-6866 Molecular Probes) at a cell density of 1×10⁷         cells/ml. Then, cells were washed with calcium assay buffer         (Hanks' solution Cat.#05906 Nissui, 20 mM HEPES pH 7.6, 0.1%         BSA, 1 mM Probenecid Cat.#P-8761 Sigma). The cell suspension         (3.3×10⁶ cells/ml) was added into 60 μl/well in the 96-well         clear bottom black plate (Cat.#3904, Costar). Compounds, diluted         (5-times concentration of the final concentration) with the         calcium assay buffer, were added into 20 μl/well in the plate 10         minutes before assay. Human recombinant eotaxin, diluted with         the calcium assay buffer at the concentration of 50 nM (final         concentration; 0 nM), was added into in a polypropylene plate         (Cat.#3365, Costar). Mobilization of cytoplasmic calcium was         measured by FDSS-6000 or FDSS-3000 (Hamamatsu Photonics) over 60         sec after the stimulation with 10 nM eotaxin. The inhibition         percent at the each concentration of compound was calculated,         and IC50 values were determined from the inhibition curve.

[Determination of IC50 Values of Compounds in Chemotaxis Assay] (1) Cell

-   -   Human CCR3-transformed L1.2 cells were used. Human         CCR3-expressing L1.2 stable transformant was established by         electroporation, referring to the methods described in J. Exp.         Med. 183:2437-2448, 1996. The human CCR3-transformed L1.2 cells         were maintained in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% FCS, 100         units/ml of penicillin G and 100 μg/ml of streptomycin, and 0.4         mg/ml of Geneticin. One day before the chemotaxis assay, cells         were pretreated with 5 mM sodium butyrate-containing culture         medium (5×10⁵ cells/ml) for 20-24 hours to increase the         expression of CCR3.

(2) Chemotaxis Assay

Butyrate-pretreated cells were suspended in chemotaxis buffer (Hanks' solution Cat.#05906 Nissui, 20 mM HEPES pH 7.6, 0.1% human serum albumin Cat.#A-1887 Sigma) at a cell density of 1.1×10⁷ cells 1 ml. A mixture of 90 μl of cell suspension and 10 μl of compound solution diluted with chemotaxis buffer (10-times concentration of the final concentration) were preincubated for 10 minutes at 37° C. The mixture of cells and compounds was added into the upper chamber of the 24-well chemotaxis chamber (Transwell™, Cat.#3421, Costar, pore size; 5 μm). 0.5 ml of 10 mM of human recombinant eotaxin (Cat.#23209, Genzyme Techne) solution, diluted with chemotaxis buffer, was added into the lower chamber of the chemotaxis plate. Then, chemotaxis was performed in CO₂ incubator at 37° C. for 4 hours. After 4 hrs incubation, migrated cells were counted using FACScan (Becton Dickinson). The inhibition percent at the each concentration of compound was calculated, and IC50 values were determined from the inhibition curve.

[Selectivity Test]

Selectivity test was done in calcium mobilization assay and in receptor binding assay by using CCR1, CCR2, CCR4, CCR5, CCR7, CCR8, CXCR1 and PAR-1 (peptidase activate receptor) stable transformants. Methods for the test are the same as that of CCR3. Only the difference is that different stable transformants were used for these selectivity tests.

[Determination of IC50 Values of Compounds in Chemotaxis Assay with the Use of Human Eosinophils]

Human eosinophils were purified from peripheral blood. Twenty five ml of heparinized blood was layered on 15 ml of Mono-Poly Resolving Medium (#16-980-49DN, ICN Biomedicals Co. Ltd, Japan) in 50 ml tube (#2335-050, Iwaki, Japan) gently and then centrifuged at 400G, for 20 min, at room temperature. After centrifugation, red blood cells were removed by hypotonic lysis. The polymorphonuclear leukocyte pellet was incubated with anti-human CD16 Microbeads (#130-045-701, Milteynyi Biotec GmbH, Germany) for 30 min at 4° C. After washing the cells, magnetically labeled neutrophils were then depleted by applying the cell suspension to BS columns (#130-041-304, Milteynyi Biotec GmbH, Germany) attached to VarioMACS (#130-090-282, Milteynyi Biotec GmbH, Germany).

Chemotaxis assay with the use of the obtained eosinophils was done by the same protocols as that using CCR3 stable transformants, L1.2 cells.

[Primate Chronic Asthma Model: Protocol]

Materials and Methods: The animals used in this study were wild caught, adult male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) weighing 4.0 to 9.0 kg (Charles River BRF, Inc.). All animals studied demonstrated a naturally occurring respiratory sensitivity to inhaled Ascaris suum extract. Animals were housed individually in environmentally controlled rooms in open mesh cages and provided food twice daily and water ad libitum. Each animal was fasted for approximately 12 hours prior to the day of study. For each study the animals were anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (7 mg/kg, i.m.; Ketaset, Fort Dodge, Iowa) and xylazine (1.2 mg/kg, i.m.; Bayer Corp., Elkart, Ind.), incubated with a cuffed endotracheal tube (5.0 mm ID; Mallinckrodt Critical Care, Glen Falls, N.Y.) and seated in a specially designed support chair. Ketamine (5 mg/kg, i.m.) was used to supplement anesthesia as needed.

Study Protocol: Airway responsiveness (AR) to inhaled methachroline followed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to assess airway cellular composition (ACC) were determined 3 days before (day 0) and 3 days after (day 10) three alternate-day (days 3, 5, 7) inhalations of Ascaris suum extract. Animals were rested 6 to 8 weeks between studies to allow airway responsiveness and inflammation to return to baseline (pre-antigen) levels. Treatment studies were bracketed by vehicle control studies to assure that no changes in sensitivity to antigen occurred over time.

The test compounds dissolved in Ethanol:PEG400:Water (10:50:40 v/v) were administered under light anesthetisia.

Aerosol Delivery System and Inhalation Challenges: Aerosol inhalation challenges were administered by intermittent positive pressure breathing with a Bird Mark 7A respirator and micronebulizer (model 8158). Each challenge consisted of 30 breaths (maximum inspiratory pressure=20 cmH₂O). Ascaris suum extract (Greer Laboratories, Lenoir, N.C.) was diluted with PBS to a final threshold concentration previously determined for each animal and administered as an aerosol (particle size <2 μm). Methacholine (Sigma Chemical Co, St. Louis, Mo.) was dissolved in PBS at a concentration of 100 mg/ml and serial dilutions of 30, 10, 3, 1, 0.3 and 0.1 mg/ml were subsequently prepared for nebulization.

Measurement of Respiratory System Resistance (Rrs): The animal was connected to a Harvard Ventilator (Harvard Apparatus, S. Natick, Mass.) via the endotracheal tube and ventilated at a rate between 30-35 breaths per minute. Airflow was measured by a Fleisch (Hans Rudolph) pneumotachograph and thoracic pressure was measured by a validyne pressure transducer (as the difference between the pressure at the distal end of the endotracheal tube and room pressure). The pneumotachograph and validyne were connected to a pre-amplifier and then into an MI² respiratory analyzer (Malvern, Pa.). Using the primary signals of flow and pressure the analyzer computed airway resistance and compliance (as well as a number of other respiratory parameters).

Methacholine Dose Response Determinations: To assess airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine, cumulative dose response curves were constructed by administering increasing concentrations of methacholine until increases in Rrs of between 100 and 200% were obtained. A vehicle control challenge was performed prior to the first dose of methacholine. Changes in Rrs were measured continuously over a 10 minute period post aerosol challenge. Aerosol challenges were separated by 5 to 10 minutes or until Rrs returned to baseline values.

Determination of PC₁₀₀ Values: The resistance obtained with PBS was set as zero. The percentage increase in resistance above zero at each dose of methacholine was entered into the computer and the program used an algorithm to determine the exact methacholine concentration which caused an increase in resistance of 100% above baseline (PC₁₀₀). Differences (day 10-day 0) in PC₁₀₀ values were calculated as logs (base 10) to normalize the data and account for the large variation in absolute values for the PC₁₀₀ between animals.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage: Following methacholine dose response determinations each monkey was placed in the supine position and a fiberoptic bronchoscope (Olympus Optical, model 3C-10, Lake Success, N.Y.) was guided past the carina and wedged into a fifth to seventh generation bronchus. A total of 15 ml of bicarbonate buffered saline (pH 7.4) was infused and gently aspirated through a channel in the bronchoscope. Collected samples were immediately centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes at 4° C. The resulting pellets were resuspended in Ca++ and Mg++ free Hank's balanced salt solution. To avoid possible effects of the BAL procedure on lung cellular composition, BAL was performed on alternating right and left lungs. Total white cells per milliliter of BAL fluid was obtained using a Coulter counter (Coulter Corp., Miami, Fla.). BAL cell composition was deter-mined by counting a minimum of 200 cells from a Wright's stained cytospin slide preparation.

Blood Samples: Blood samples were collected prior to and 30 minutes, 1 hr and 2 hr after the first dose of the test compounds (morning of day 2), immediately before each subsequent dose, and 30 minutes, 1 hr and 2 hr after the final dose (evening of day 9). Blood was collected from the femoral vein into EDTA, centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 15 minutes at 4° C. and the plasma stored at −70° C. until assayed for the test compounds.

Statistical Analysis: All data were evaluated statistically with the use of students t-test where a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results of receptor binding assay (RBA), Ca²⁺ mobilization assay (Ca²⁺) are shown in Examples and tables of the Examples below. The data corresponds to the compounds as yielded by solid phase synthesis and thus to levels of purity of about 40 to 90%. For practical reasons, the compounds are grouped in three classes of activity as follows:

IC₅₀=A 100 nM<B 500 nM<C

The Compounds of the Present Invention Also Show More than 100-Fold Selectivity Against CCR1, CCR5, CCR7, CCR8 and CXCR1 in Receptor Binding Assays.

The compounds of the present invention show dose-dependent inhibitory effect on eotaxin-induced chemotaxis of human eosinophils and strong activity in vivo assays.

Procedure for Starting Compound [Starting Compound A] 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenylsulfonylchloride

-   (1) To a mixture of 4-chloro-3-nitro-benzonitrile (24.0 g, 131 mmol)     and 3,5-dichloro-phenol (32.0 g, 197 mmol) in dry THF (150 ml) was     added NaH (6.84 g, 171 mmol) in portions and the mixture was     refluxed for 1 hour. After cooled to room temperature, the solvent     was evaporated, and 100 ml of ice water and 20 ml of 4N NaOH aq.     were added to the residue. The precipitate was collected by     filtration, washed with 0.5 N NaOH aq. and water, dried in vacuo to     give the 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)nitrobenzene (40.0 g, 98.4%)     as slight yellow solid. -   (2) The mixture of 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)nitrobenzene (4.08     g, 13.20 mmol) and Tin(II) chloride dihydrate (17.87 g, 79.20 mmol)     in EtOAc (200 mL) was heated to reflux for 2 hours. After cooled to     room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into sat. NaHCO₃     aq. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The extract was washed     with brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated in     vacuo to give 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)aniline (3.53 g,     95.8%). -   (3) 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)aniline (3.53 g, 12.65 mmol) was     dissolved in the mixture of conc. HCl aq. (6.33 ml) and HOAc (2.53     ml). The solution was cooled to 0° C. and sodium nitrite (0.96 g,     13.9 mmol) in water (1.27 ml) was added dropwise with stirring.     After 30 minutes, the reaction mixture was added dropwise to the     suspended mixture of CuCl (0.63 g, 6.32 mmol) in saturated solution     of SO₂ in HOAc (25.3 ml) at 5° C. The reaction mixture was stirred     for 30 minutes at 10° C., and poured into water. The resulting     mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The extract was washed with sat.     NaHCO₃ aq., brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated     in vacuo to give     5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenylsulfonylchloride as a brown     powder (4.45 g, 97%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₃H₆Cl₃NO₃S     [M+H]⁺ 362. found: 362.

Example 1-1 N—(R-(+)-(1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonamide

To a suspension of (R)-(+)-3-aminoquinuclidine 2HCl (2.87 g, 14.4 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (25 ml) was added Et₃N (5.88 ml, 42.0 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature followed by the addition of the solution of 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenylsulfonyl-chloride (90%, 4.83 g, 12 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) dropwise. After stirred for 5 hours at room temperature, CH₂Cl₂ (160 mL) was added and the mixture was washed with water, sat. Na₂CO₃ aq., brine and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated, and the product was recrystallized from the mixture of EtOAc and hexane to give N—(R)-(+)-(1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonamide (4.30 g, 79.2%) as white solid.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 1.46-1.59 (2H, m), 1.68-1.72 (1H, m), 1.86-1.88 (2H, m), 2.69-2.99 (6H, m), 3.20-3.28 (1H, m), 3.46-3.51 (1H, m), 7.00 (1H, d, J=8.67 Hz), 7.04 (2H, s), 7.32 (1H, t, J=1.7 Hz), 7.79 (1H, dd, J=8.64, 2.07 Hz), 8.31 (1H, d, J=2.07 Hz); HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₀H₁₉C₁₂N₃O₃S [M+H]⁺ 452. found: 452.

Molecular weight: 452.36

Melting point: 215-220° C. (decomp.)

Activity grade CCR3: A

Activity grade IC₅₀: A

Example 1-2 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-N-[2-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-benzenesulfonamide (1) 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide

To a solution of N¹, N¹-dimethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine (74.0 mg, 0.84 mmol) and Et₃N in dry CH₂Cl₂ (3 ml) was added the solution of 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenylsul-fonylchloride (90%, 282 mg, 0.7 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (6 ml) dropwise. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. CH₂Cl₂ (60 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with water, brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH=10:1) to give 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-benzene-sulfonamide as white solid (220 mg, 75.9%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₉H₂₁Cl₂N₃O₄S [M+H]⁺ 414. Found: 414

(2) 1-(2-bromo-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione

To a mixture of dihydro-furan-2,5-dione (396 mg, 4.00 mmol) and 1,2-dibromo-ethane (1.50 g, 8.00 mmol) in CH₃CN (20 ml) was added K₂CO₃ (829 mg, 6.00 mmol) at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at reflux overnight and the solvent was evaporated. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (150 mL), washed with water, sat. Na₂CO₃aq., brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated to give 1-(2-bromo-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione that was used for next step without further purification (580 mg, 70.4%).

(3) 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-N-[2-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-benzenesulfonamide

To a solution of 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-benzene-sulfonamide (41.4 mg, 0.1 mmol) in dry DMF (2 ml) was added 1-(2-bromo-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (30.9 mg, 0.15 mmol) and NaH (60%, 6.00 mg, 0.15 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 8 hours at 90° C. After cooled to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (60 ml), washed with brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by preparative TLC (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH=20/1) to give 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-N-[2-(2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-benzenesulfonamide (44 mg, 81.6%) and the free base was converted into HCl salt by 4N HCl in dioxane.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): 2.76 (4H, s), 2.85 (6H, s), 3.56 (4H, br, s), 3.74-3.80 (2H, m), 3.94 (2H, br, s), 7.01 (1H, d, J=8.64 Hz), 7.09 (2H, s), 7.33 (1H, s), 7.81 (1H, d, J=8.64 Hz), 8.21 (1H, s); HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₃H₂₄Cl₂N₄O₅S.HCl [M+H]⁺ 539. found: 539.

Molecular weight: 575.90

Melting point:

Activity grade CCR3: A

Activity grade IC₅₀: A

Example 1-3 4-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)-3-[(3S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzonitrile (1) [(2S)-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionylamino]-acetic acid ethyl ester

To a mixture of (2S)-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionic acid (4.16 g, 12.3 mmol), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrogen chloride (2.83 g, 14.8 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1.99 g, 14.8 mmol) and Et₃N (5.14 ml, 36.9 mmol) in dry THF (20 ml) was added amino-acetic acid ethyl ester hydrogen chloride (1.72 g, 12.3 mmol) portionwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 days at room temperature. The organic solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was diluted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with 0.5N HCl, saturated NaHCO₃aq., brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The organic layer was concentrated to give [(2S)-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionylamino]-acetic acid ethyl ester (5.10 g, 97.9%) as yellow sticky oil: HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₃H₂₅N₃O₅ [M+H]⁺ 424. found: 424.

(2) [(2S)-amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionylamino]-acetic acid ethyl ester

To a suspension of 10% Pd/C (0.50 g) in dry MeOH (70 ml) was added a solution of [(2S)-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionylamino]-acetic acid ethyl ester (5.10 g, 17.6 mmol) in dry MeOH (30 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred under 1 atm of H₂ in hydrogenator for 1 day at room temperature. After removing all particle with celite pad, the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give [(2S)-amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl) propionylamino]-acetic acid ethyl ester (3.26 g, 91.6%) as an oil: HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₅H₁₉N₃O₃ [M+H]⁺ 290. found: 290.

(3) (3S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-2,5-dione

The solution of [(2S)-amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionylamino]-acetic acid ethyl ester (3.25 g, 11.2 mmol) and Et₃N in dry MeOH was heated to reflux overnight. The resulting white precipitate was collected and dried to give (3S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-2,5-dione (1.80 g, 65.9%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₃H₁₃N₃O₂ [M+H]⁺ 244. found: 244.

(4) 3-(piperazin-(2S)-ylmethyl)-1H-indole

To a suspension of lithium aluminum hydride (0.19 g, 5.08 mmol) in dry THF (10 ml) was added the solution (3S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-2,5-dione (0.30 g, 1.23 mmol) in THF (10 ml) dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 75° C. overnight, cooled to room temperature. 0.19 ml of water, 0.19 mL of 4N NaOH aq., and 0.58 ml of water were successively added to the mixture at 0° C. The resulting white precipitate was filtered off with celite pad, and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give 3-(piperazin-(2S)-ylmethyl)-1H-indole (0.26 g, quant.) as a yellow oil: HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₃H₇N₃ [M+H]⁺ 216. found: 216.

(5) 4-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[(3S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzonitrile

To a solution of 3-(piperazin-(2S)-ylmethyl)-1H-indole (33.0 mg, 0.15 mmol) and di-isopropyl-ethyl amine (0.08 mL, 0.46 mmol) in dry THF (2 mL) was added 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzene-sulfonyl chloride (50.0 mg, 0.14 mmol) in portions. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=10/1) twice to give 4-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-3-[(3S)-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-benzo-nitrile (6.20 mg, 7.5%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.56-3.07 (7H, m), 3.71-3.75 (1H, d, J=10.9 Hz), 3.83-3.86 (1H, d, J=11.1 Hz), 6.98 (2H, d, J=1.7 Hz), 7.04-7.05 (1H, d, J=2.3 Hz), 7.10-7.15 (1H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.20-7.25 (1H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.28-7.29 (1H, t, J=1.9 Hz), 7.37-7.40 (1H, d, J=7.9 Hz), 7.55-7.58 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz), 7.75-7.78 (1H, dd, J=2.1, 8.7 Hz), 8.09 (1H, br), 8.28-8.29 (1H, d, J=2.1 Hz); HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₆H₂₂C₁₂N₄O₃S[M+H]⁺ 541. found: 541.

Molecular weight: 541.46

Melting point: 128-129° C.

Activity grade CCR3: A

Activity grade IC₅₀: A

Example 1-4 4-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)-3-{[2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]sulfonyl}benzo-nitrile hydrochloride (1) 1,4-dibenzyl-piperazine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester

To the preheated solution (50° C.) of 2,3-dibromo-propionic acid methyl ester in toluene (40 ml) and Et₃N (5.80 ml, 41.6 mmol), was added N,N′-dibenzyl-ethane-1,2-diamine (4.90 ml, 20.8 mmol) dropwise. Resulting white slurry was heated to reflux to a clear solution and the solution was stirred at reflux overnight. After cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was extracted with 2N HCl (ca. 500 ml) and the extract was neutralized with 4N NaOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc three times. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give 1,4-dibenzyl-piperazine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (5.73 g, 84.8%) as a colorless oil: HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂ [M+H]⁺ 325. found: 325.

(2) (1,4-dibenzyl-piperazin-2-yl)-methanol

To the suspension of lithium aluminum hydride (1.54 g, 40.6 mmol) was added 1,4-dibenzyl-piperazine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3.00 g, 9.25 mmol) portionwise at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at reflux for 3 hours. After cooled to 0° C., 1.5 ml of water, 1.5 ml of 4N NaOH aq., and 4.5 ml of water was added successively. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, and the white precipitate was filtered off with celite pad. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give (1,4-dibenzyl-piperazin-2-yl)-methanol (2.74 g, quant.) as a yellow oil: HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₉H₂₄N₂O[M+H]⁺ 297. found: 297.

(3) 1,4-dibenzyl-2-chloromethyl-piperazine

To the solution of thionyl chloride (1.63 ml, 22.4 mmol) in CCl₄ (30 ml) was added the solution of (1,4-dibenzyl-piperazin-2-yl)-methanol (2.74 g, 9.25 mmol) in CCl₄ dropwise in 10 minutes. The produced suspension was stirred for 2 hours at 77° C. After cooled to room temperature, 20 ml of ice water was added and the aqueous layer was separated from the organic solvent. The PH of aqueous layer was adjusted to 12 with 4N NaOH aq., and extracted with CHCl₃ three times. The combined organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give brownish oil which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=30/1) to give 1,4-dibenzyl-2-chloromethyl-piperazine in crude form (3.08 g, 95%, ca. 90% purity from HPLC analysis). The compound was used for next reaction without further purification: HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₉H₂₃ClN₂ [M+H]⁺ 315. found: 315.

(4) 1,4-dibenzyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)piperazine

To a solution of 1,2,4-triazole (48.3 mg, 0.70 mmol) in DMF (2 ml) was added NaH (18.3 mg, 0.76 mmol). After 10 minutes stirring, 1,4-dibenzyl-2-(chloromethyl)piperazine (200 mg, 0.64 mmol) and KI (156 mg, 0.70 mmol) were added to the mixture. The mixture was stirred at 60° C. overnight. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with water and brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography on NH-silica gel (Hex/AcOEt=1/4) to give 1,4-dibenzyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)piperazine (220.0 mg, 99.7%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₁H₂₅N₅ [M+H]⁺ 348. found: 348.

(5) 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)piperazine dihydrochloride

To a solution of 1,4-dibenzyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)piperazine (206 mg, 0.59 mmol) in MeOH (3.0 ml) was added a few drops of 4N HCl in 1,4-dioxane and 20% wet Pd(OH)₂ (100 mg). The mixture was stirred overnight under H₂ atomosphere with a balloon. The catalyst was filtered off through Celite pad and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (122.9 mg, 86.3%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₇H₁₃N₅ [M+H]⁺ 168. found: 168.

(6) tert-butyl 3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylate

To a suspention of 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (104 mg, 0.39 mmol) and Et₃N (157.7 mg, 1.56 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 ml) was added [{[(tert-butoxy-carbonyl)oxy]amino}(cyano)methyl]benzene (106.5 mg, 0.43 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH/CHCl₃=1/50-1/10) to give tert-butyl 3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylate (50.9 mg, 48.9%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₁H₂₀N₆O₂ [M+H]⁺ 268. found: 268.

(7) tert-butyl 4-{[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenyl]sulfonyl}-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylate

To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylate (29.5 mg, 0.11 mmol) and di-isopropyl-ethyl amine (28.5 mg, 0.22 mmol) in THF (2 ml) was added 5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)benzenesulfonyl chloride (40.0 mg, 0.11 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight. The solvent was removed and the residue was diluted with CHCl₃, washed with sat. NaHCO₃ aq. and brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the resulting residue was purified by prep. TLC (MeOH/CHCl₃=1/10) to give tert-butyl 4-{[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenyl]sulfonyl}-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazine-carboxylate (42.5 mg, 64.9%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₅H₂₆Cl₂N₆O₅S [M+H]⁺ 593. found: 593.

(8) 4-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)-3-{[2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-sulfonyl}benzonitrile hydrochloride

To a solution of tert-butyl 4-{[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenyl]sulfonyl}-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylate (37 mg, 0.06 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 ml) was added 4N HCl in 1,4-dioxane (1 ml). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, the residue was triturated with Et₂O and the white solid was collected by filtration to give 4-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)-3-{[2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]sulfonyl}benzonitrile hydrochloride (28.5 mg, 86.3%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6): 2.30-3.37 (1H, m), 3.71 (1H, t, J=12.9 Hz), 4.01 (2H, d, J=14.2 Hz), 4.56 (1H, dd, J=14.2, 5.4 Hz), 4.60-4.63 (1H, m), 4.82 (1H, dd, J=13.9, 9.5 Hz), 7.21 (1H, d, J=8.5 Hz), 7.40 (2H, d, J=1.6 Hz), 7.59 (1H, t, J=3.5, 1.6 Hz), 7.68 (1H, s), 8.05 (1H, d, J=2.2 Hz), 8.07 (1H, s), 8.59 (1H, s), 9.51 (1H, br, s), 9.58 (1H, br, s); HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₂₅H₂₆Cl₂N₆O₅S [M+H]⁺ 494. found: 494.

Molecular weight: 529.84

Melting point: 177° C. (decomp.);

Activity grade CCR3: A

Activity grade IC₅₀: A

The compounds in Example 1-5 to -47 as shown in Table 1 were synthesized similar procedure as described in Example 1-1 to 1-4 above or conventional reactions.

TABLE 1 Ex Mol MP No Structure weight MASS (° C) CCR3 IC50 1-5

411.31 411 171-172 C C 1-6

528.46 528 A A 1-7

555.89 519 296 Z A A 1-8

519.84 483 >160 Z A A 1-9

555.89 519 270 Z A A 1-10

519.84 483 >160 Z A A 1-11

512.421 512 137-139 B A 1-12

484.36 484 B B 1-13

524.43 524 B A 1-14

626.68 626 B 1-15

500.4 500 153-154 B 1-16

456.35 456 155-156 A A 1-17

454.33 454 165-182 Z C 1-18

498.39 498 B 1-19

472.35 472 C 1-20

514.26 441 240-241 C 1-21

514.26 441 280-281 A A 1-22

520.82 525 (484 plus CH3CN) 150 Z A A 1-23

485.44 485 B 1-24

454.34 454 172-173 B 1-25

567.5 567 >95 Z B 1-26

541.46 541 116-117 A A 1-27

523.4 523 A A 1-28

533.46 533 127 Z A A 1-29

569.92 533 183-184 A A 1-30

455.33 455 >185 Z C 1-31

429.33 429 169-170 A A 1-32

452.36 452 A A 1-33

524.43 524 224-225 A B 1-34

538.5 538 103 A A 1-35

510.44 509 B A 1-36

530.82 494 178 Z A A 1-37

529.84 493 184-185 Z A A 1-38

577.49 577 C 1-39

512.42 512 B A 1-40

458.32 458 190 C 1-41

621.59 621 C 1-42

508.47 508 B A 1-43

523.4 523 123-125 A A 1-44

591.52 591 121 A A 1-45

510.44 510 124 A A 1-46

510.44 510 157 A A 1-47

447.77 411 220-226 Z C C Z: Decomposed

Example 2-1 4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(piperidine-4-sulfonyl)-benzonitrile

-   (1) To a solution of 3-amino-4-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzonitrile     (4.19 g, 15 mmol) in HCl aq [con. HCl (10 ml)+ water (25 ml)] was     added the solution of NaNO₂ (1.14 g, 16.5 mmol) in water (6 ml)     dropwise with stirring below 4° C. After addition, the PH of the     solution was brought to 4 by addition of sodium acetate. After     stirred at 0° C. for 20 minutes, the mixture was added to the hot     solution (80° C.) of potassium O-ethyldithiocarbonate (4.81 g, 30     mmol) in water (45 ml) with stirring. The mixture was stirred at     80° C. for 0.5 hours. After cooled to room temperature, the solution     was extracted with EtOAc, dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was     evaporated to give dithiocarbonic acid     S-[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-phenyl]ester O-ethyl ester that     was used for next reaction without further purification [5.50 g,     66.8% (70% purity)].

-   (2) The mixture of dithiocarbonic acid     S-[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-phenyl]ester O-ethyl ester [5.50     g, 10.2 mmol (70% purity)], KOH (3.37 g, 60.1 mmol) in ethanol     (20 ml) was refluxed for 1 hour. After cooled to room temperature,     the solvent was evaporated. 30 ml of ice water was added to the     residue. The PH of the mixture was adjusted to 4 by addition of     acetic acid. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The extract was     washed with water, brine, dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was     evaporated to give 4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-mercapto-benzonitrile     that was used for next reaction without purification [3.20 g, 75.5%     (70% purity)].

-   (3) To the suspension of 4-bromo-piperidine; hydrobromide (2.94 g,     12 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 ml) was added NEt₃ (3.04 g, 4.2 ml, 30 mmol)     with stirring. Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (3.14 g, 14.4 mmol) was     added 10 min later. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for     3 hours, and diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (60 ml). The mixture was washed     with 0.2 N HCl aq., 5% NaHCO₃ aq., brine, dried over MgSO₄. The     solvent was evaporated to give 4-bromo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid     tert-butyl as colorless liquid that was used for the next step     without further purification [2.60 g, 69.5% (70% purity)].

-   (4) The mixture of 4-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-3-mercapto-benzonitrile     ester [338 mg, 0.8 mmol, (70% purity)],     4-bromo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl [362 mg, 0.96 mmol     (70% purity)], and K₂CO₃ (552 mg, 4 mmol) in dry DMF (8 ml) was     stirred at 95° C. overnight. The solvent was evaporated, and the     residue was diluted with EtOAc (100 ml). The mixture was washed with     brine, and the organic layer was dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was     evaporated to give     4-[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-phenylsulfanyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester that was used for the next reaction without     any purification [360 mg, 56.3% (60% purity)].

-   (5) To a solution of     4-[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-phenylsulfanyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester [320 mg, 0.4 mmol (60 purity)] in the mixture     of CCl₄ (6 ml) and CH₃CN (6 ml) was added the solution of NaIO₄ (599     mg, 2.80 mmol) and RuCl₃ (41.5 mg, 0.2 mmol) in water (12 ml). The     mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, and the solvent     was evaporated. The residue was diluted with EtOAc (100 ml). The     mixture was washed with water, brine, and dried over MgSO₄. The     solvent was evaporated and the crude product was purified by     preparative TLC (EtOAC/Hexane=1:1) to give     4-[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzene-sulfonyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester (50.0 mg, 24.4%): HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for     C₂₃H₂₄Cl₂N₂O₅S [M+H]⁺ 511. found: 511.

-   (6) To a solution in     4-[5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester (30 mg, 0.06 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 ml) was added     4N HCl (in dioxane, 0.6 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room     temperature for 1.5 hours. The produced white precipitate was     collected by filtration and dried in vacuo to give     4-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-3-(piperidine-4-sulfonyl)-benzonitrile;     hydro-chloride (23 mg, 87.6%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): 1.72-1.77 (2H, ddm, J=13.4 Hz, J=3.78 Hz), 2.03-2.09 (2H, ddm, J=13.4 Hz, J=3.78 Hz), 3.09 (2H, br, S), 3.18 (2H, br, S), 4.94 (1H, q, J=3.78 Hz), 7.54 (1H, d, J=9.03 Hz), 7.96 (2H, s), 8.07 (1H, s), 8.76 (1H, s), 8.46 (1H, s), 8.83 (1H, br, S), 9.14 (1H, br, S); HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₈H₁₇Cl₃N₂O₃S [M+H]⁺ 411. found: 411.

Molecular weight: 447.77

Melting point: 220-226° C. (decomp.)

Activity grade CCR3: C

Activity grade IC₅₀: C

Example 3-1 N-(1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenylsulfanyl)-5-nitro-benzene-sulfonamide

-   (1) To a suspension of 1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-ylamine dihydrogen     chloride (44.9 mg, 0.205 mmol) in THF was added NaH (60%, 41.0 mg,     1.03 mmol) portion wise, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes.     The stirred mixture was then added to a solution of     2-chloro-5-nitro-benzenesulfonyl chloride (52.5 mg, 0.205 mmol) in     THF drop wise at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C.     for 2 hours. -   (2) After removing an ice bath, NaH (60%, 9.80 mg, 0.246 mmol) was     added to the mixture followed by the addition of     3,5-dichloro-benzenethiol (44.0 mg, 0.246 mmol). The mixture was     stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, and concentrated in vacuo.     The residue was diluted by EtOAc and washed with water, 1N NaOH, and     brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in     vacuo to give crude product. The crude compound was further purified     by preparative TLC to give     N-(1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl-sulfanyl)-5-nitro-benzenesulfonamide     (41.3 mg, 41.3%) as a white powder:

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.48-1.59 (1H, m), 1.61-1.73 (1H, m), 1.75-1.83 (2H, m), 2.54-2.61 (1H, m), 2.64-2.82 (2H, m), 2.85-2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5 Hz), 3.19-3.27 (1H, dd, J=9.4, 14.1 Hz), 3.42-3.46 (1H, m), 7.13-7.16 (1H, d, J=8.9 Hz), 7.39-7.40 (2H, d, J=1.9 Hz), 7.52-7.53 (1H, t, J=1.9 Hz), 8.18-8.22 (1H, dd, J=2.6, 8.9 Hz), 8.87-8.88 (1H, d, J=2.5 Hz); HPLC-MS (ESI): Calcd for C₁₉H₁₉Cl₂N₃O₄S₂ [M+H]⁺ 488. found: 488.

Molecular weight: 488.41

Melting point: 256° C. 

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A method of treating atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Grave's disease, HIV infection, Alzheimer's disease or atherosclerosis comprising administering to a patient a compound of formula (I), its tautomeric or stereoisomeric form, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein X represents O or S; R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl, amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, or C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen; R² represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl, amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, or C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen; R³ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, carboxy, tetrazolyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, C₁₋₆ alkanoylamino, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen or hydroxy; R⁴ represents

wherein: R⁷¹ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by amino, hydroxy, carboxy, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo; R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo; and Z¹ represents —[CH₂]_(p)—, wherein p is
 2. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein: R⁴ represents

and wherein: R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the compound is of the formula (I-b), its tautomeric or stereoisomeric form, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein: R¹ represents fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, or nitro; R² represents fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, or nitro; R³ represents acetyl, cyano, or tetrazolyl; R⁴ represents

wherein: R⁷¹ represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by amino, hydroxy, carboxy, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo; R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl, wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo; and Z¹ represents —[CH₂]_(p)—, wherein p is
 2. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein: R¹ represents fluoro, chloro or bromo; R² represents fluoro, chloro or bromo; R³ represents cyano; R⁴ represents

and wherein: R⁷² represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, amino, (C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, N—(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino carbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, or mono-, di- or tri-halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy optionally substituted by mono-, di- or tri-halogen, pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl wherein said pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted by mono- or di-oxo.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the compound, its tautomeric or stereoisomeric form, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, is selected from the group consisting of: (R)—N-(1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonamide; (S)—N-(1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenoxy)-benzenesulfonamide; N-(1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2-(3,5-dichloro-phenylsulfanyl)-5-nitro-benzenesulfonamide; and (R)-5-cyano-2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)-N-(2-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-N-(1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the compound, its tautomeric or stercoisomeric form, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof is formulated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the excipient is an inert substance selected from the group consisting of a carrier, a diluent, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, a lubricant, a solubilizer, a suspending agent, a binder, a tablet disintegrating agent and an encapsulating agent. 